He grabs my arm and pulls me back over to the chair I’d vacated.
I’m about to respond when Tinsley’s voice interrupts.
“Let her go, Reed. She’s my guest. Why are you making her sit all the way down there? Jesus, you boys need to learn manners.” She walks over and pushes Reed’s hand off me before looping her arm in mine and leading me to the other end of the table. Then she lowers her voice to a whisper. “That end is for the girls I invited only to stay on their good side. You’ll sit down here with me and V. The inner circle.”
I look up and see Ingram and her crew along with a couple of other girls walking towards the table.
She isn’t wrong. These girls aren’t friends with anyone. Each one is vicious. I can see what she meant about staying on their good side. I haven’t been here long, yet I’ve already had a taste of their bad side.
“I can go sit by them if you want, Tinsley. I know I’m not really in your inner circle. You don’t have to be nice just because of V.”
She laughs as she shakes her head. “I’m not letting you sit here because you are V’s cousin. You’ve shielded me when I didn’t want to be around Reed and the guys. You gave Keaton a second chance when you didn’t have to. You’re one of the good ones. I knew when I met you that we would be good friends. Everything else just cemented it.”
“I didn’t do that for recognition. No one should have to deal with bullies. As for you and Keaton, I can’t seem to ditch you guys,” I tease.
“You’re only making me love you more. Keep telling me how amazing and humble you are, S.”
I can feel the blush color my cheeks. I hate the attention she’s giving me. Thankfully, Victoria sits down next to Tinsley, breaking the moment.
“It hit me earlier that you’re about to turn sixteen this year, T, which seems crazy to me.”
“Our baby is growing up and still one step behind me.” Keaton walks around and tousles her hair before taking the seat directly across from Victoria.
“Watch the hair, bro. I just wanted to be around someone other than that hag Mom and Dad hired as a nanny, Mrs. Grunewald.” She visibly shudders. “She was a nightmare, but Mom and Dad thought of her as Mary Poppins.”
“Enough family talk,” Reed grumbles as he places a kiss on top of Tinsley’s head before taking his seat, which is next to me. “Let’s eat.”
“Hear! Hear!,” Keaton calls out to the table, which they all repeat.
“Well, don’t be shy. Grab what you want while you still can,” Tinsley says, which prompts the table into motion.
After all the food has been passed around and drinks served, we all settle into our own conversations.
“So, S, what are you wearing this weekend?”
I finish chewing before turning my attention to Tinsley. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“Don’t let her lie, T,” Victoria interjects. “She found this super cute burnt orange dress. She’s going to look adorbs.”
“Did you just use the word ‘adorbs’?” I turn to Victoria. “I don’t think we can be friends anymore.”
“You love me and you know it.” She winks at me.
“You have to wear the dress, S,” Tinsley tells me. “If V says it looks good, then you’ll look gorgeous.”
“Maybe I will. Who knows? I might change my mind.” I shoot Tinsley a small smile.
“Gorgeous? Ha! Like that could happen,” I catch from the other end of the table. I look up to see Ingram snickering with her friends.
I’m about to respond when someone kicks me under the table. I look at Reed to find him glaring at me in a silent warning.
Instead of responding to Ingram, I heed his warning and turn back to Tinsley.
“Ignore them. They’re just jealous,” she whispers to me.
I give her a small nod, then turn back to my plate. Tinsley and Victoria start talking about what they’re wearing, but I’m hyperaware of the conversations going on at the end of the table.
“Slut.”
“Trailer trash.”
“Whore’s daughter.”
The last one sets me off. My mom was anything but a whore, and trashing her name is uncalled for.
“You know, Ingram, there’s a lot of shit-talking coming from a wannabe Yates from that end of the table. I suggest you shut up before I make you.”
“Sage.”
But Reed’s warning doesn’t deter me.
Ingram sneers. “The only wannabe Yates here is you. You think because you suck a Yates’s dick, that means you earned a spot at the table with them? Please. I bet the only reason Tinsley is taking pity on you is because you’re sleeping with one of her brothers.”
“That’s enough, Ingram. Sage, keep your mouth shut.” Reed’s commanding voice holds finality to it, but I don’t like being told what to do.
“Ah, I guess it’s Reed’s dick you’re sucking.” Ingram plasters on a diabolical smile.
“What? Are you jealous? I’ve only been here a short time, but I know you’ve been panting after Reed the majority of your life.” I catch a flicker in her eyes, but she hides it quickly.
I lean over into Reed’s space, placing my hand on his inner thigh. The look of disdain in her eyes is enough to make me slide my other hand up his chest.
Reed’s hand reaches out to stop mine.
“Now, ladies, put the claws away. Besides, we all know it’s not Reed’s dick she’s sucking. It’s mine,” Keaton winks at me as he finishes his statement.
“I knew it. Reed would never touch you.” Ingram looks triumphant.
“Well, I wouldn’t say that, Ing. He said she wasn’t sucking his dick. Rumor has it they like to double team. She’s usually sucking Keaton’s dick while Reed’s sticking it up her ass. Isn’t that right, S?” Sterling looks positively impressed with himself.
I’m fuming. “You’re a disgusting bastard.”
“Nah, I know who my daddy is. Do you know yours?”
The slight dig hits me, but before I can say another word, Tinsley is standing up. A pang of regret hits me for ruining lunch, but I meant what I said about bullies.
“I’m so sorry, Tinsley.” I rise from my chair as well.
“How dare you talk like that?” I look up, expecting her anger to be pointed at me, but instead her gaze is focused on the guys. “We will be having a talk about this. I’m so disappointed in you.” Her eyes swing to Ingram and her groupies. “And you. If you’re going to continue to act this way, then lose your invite to any party being hosted at my house. Come on, V, S. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Reed and Keaton call after us, but Tinsley turns around and shoots them a glare before we storm out of the cafeteria. Once in the hall, she stops and turns to me.
“I’m so sorry for them, S. They can be complete assholes sometimes. The kids here put them on a pedestal, which makes them think they’re more important than they are. Please don’t judge me based on them.”
“I won’t, Tinsley. I know you’re different.” I smirk. “You’re right though. They are assholes.”
“One thing. Only my friends can call them that, so that means you’re my friend.”